Australian employers could lose millions if workers ‘chuck a sickie’ after National Day of Mourning

New research suggests thousands of workers may wag work on Friday after this week’s one-off public holiday. Find out how much it could cost employers.

New research indicates Friday could be Australia’s top day to chuck a sickie after a one-off public holiday was announced for Thursday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed a National Day of Mourning would be held this week to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

Off the back of the Thursday public holiday, Friday is shaping up to be a popular day for employees to give workers the flick, comparison website Finder has said.

Data compiled by the site showed wagging work after the public holiday could cost employers more than $461 million in lost productivity.

The survey revealed one in eight respondents had called in sick for non-health related reasons this year, with participants citing going to the beach, shopping, caring for a pet or sick loved one as their reason for taking the day off.

One in five survey respondents hadn’t yet taken any sick leave this year.

The research calculated the cost of a sickie at $354 per worker per day, meaning employers could lose more than $461 million in lost productivity this Friday following the National Day of Mourning.

Bondi Beach: In the survey, two per cent of respondents said they chucked a sickie to go to the beach. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

Meanwhile, four per cent of surveyed participants admitted to going shopping. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Despite the impact on businesses and surgeries, Thursday’s public holiday will go ahead.

Employers are being warned of a spike in absenteeism on Friday, as schools close, restaurants change trading hours and celebrations commence on Thursday and NSW school holidays start next Monday.

The Tribute to the Queen at Government House in Sydney where hundreds of people have paid their respects. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

“Workers are trying to take advantage of the bonus public holiday by turning it into an extra long weekend,” personal finance specialist at Finder Taylor Blackburn said.

“This is how Black Friday got its name in the US – with the Thanksgiving holiday always on Thursday, many workers would not come in on the Friday – hence it was a dark day for owners.”

Royal Family Instagram released a previously unseen photo of Queen Elizabeth II ahead of her funeral. Picture: Instagram

Hundreds of bouquets of flowers and personal notes have been placed outside Government House in Sydney. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

While a rare wet weather event threatens to spoil a good beach day this season, wagging work for a trip to the beach is still a tempting reason for many people craving a mental health break.

“Your sick leave should be viewed as a safety net for serious injury or illness in most cases, but there are times when taking a day for yourself is healthy,” Mr Blackburn said.

“A few companies have created a new brand of leave to deal with life that isn’t strictly about running a fever.”

Drivers are also being cautioned to take extra care on the roads as double demerits kick into force from midnight Wednesday until 11:59pm on Sunday.

Originally published as Australian employers could lose millions if workers ‘chuck a sickie’ after National Day of Mourning